A happy and peaceful ‘Vaisakhi’ to those who celebrate

Islamabad :: Today, (Sunday), Sikhs around the world are preparing to celebrate the religious observance of Vaisakhi -also known as Baisakhi - and Pakistan has also welcomed hundreds of visitors who arrived in Hasanabdal to celebrate at the Gurdwara Panja Sahib – a beautiful Sikh shrine - a couple of days ago. Vaisakhi is a traditional harvest festival celebrated by Sikhs and several historical events are connected to the festival, including the inauguration of the ‘Khalsa’ a term used for Sikhs who have been initiated or baptised. It was formed in order to take a stand against the religious oppression Sikhs were facing at the time and signifies freedom of belief, the concept of warriors with spiritual dispositions and the rejection of artificial distinctions based upon tribes, ethnicity and race.

Decorations have been put up along the route to the shrine as well as inside its walls, lending a festive atmosphere that lasts throughout the celebration. Participants will dress in colourful outfits; special prayers will be recited; food will be distributed and shared among the local population and camaraderie and goodwill will be the order of the day. So here’s wishing all who celebrate a very happy ‘Vaisakhi’.